Teen came together when Teeny Lieberson, formerly of Here We Go Magic, left her post in the latter band in order to make music with her sisters Katherine and Lizzie and their longtime friends Jane Herships and former member Maia Ibar. Forgoing girl-group gimmickry and fervor, the band’s digital-only debut EP, Little Doods, fleshed out a sound of languid, lo-fi psyche pop redolent of Paisley Underground bands like Opal and Rain Parade. Since releasing the EP in April 2011, they have steadily honed their sound around New York and readied their first long-player, In Limbo.
Recorded during the summer of 2011 in a converted barn in rural Connecticut, In Limbo puts pop and tribal elements to the fore. Opener “Better” is a Suicide-esque march toward euphoria through repetition. “Sleep in Noise” comes on like a neo-psychedelic tribal stomp with a Spector-esque drive, while “Unable,” an all-but-shapeless mass of organ swells and tremolo synths provides a loose structure for their transcendent vocal acrobatics. The density and layers of the band’s morphing keyboards, driving synths and jungle drums let their finely arranged vocals sit gloriously on top, each member’s contribution shining through.
In Limbo was mixed and produced in collaboration with Sonic Boom (Spacemen 3, Spectrum). His influence and guidance is subtly evident throughout, adding sympathetic undertones and ambience to the band’s well defined and inspiring songs.
Released by: Carpark Records
Release date: Aug 28, 2012
http://www.teentheband.net/
Tokyo
Teen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ha ha ha ha
In Tokyo
A replacement for his drop wife
Yeah yeah yeah
She's in Tokyo
He wished to move ever quickly
He promised life before the sickly
Before his sinning feel got in the way
Now he's running off
Running off, running off
All the weight behind him
Dreaming, dreaming of a bare coffin
Yeah he needed to know
Gravestone reading his life took off without him
Where would this fantasy go
So he's running off
Running off, running off
All the weight behind him
Yeah he's running off
Running off, running off
Fooling the Madonna
Chasing after youthful skin
Whatching your own age drip
Softening your trying limbs
Never did you give it
Permission to drop off
Fooling the Madonna
No fool will stay on top
On top, on top, on top
"Let's face the fact baby
No one wants to cheat or steal
I do not to love you now
And I won't tommorow and I never will"
So he's running off
Running off, running off
All the weight behind him
Yeah he's running off
Running off, running off
Fooling the Madonna
Chasing after youthful skin
Whatching your own age drip
Softening your trying limbs
Never did you give it
Permission to drop off
Fooling the Madonna
No fool will stay on top
Fooling the Madonna
Chasing after youthful skin
Whatching your own age drip
Softening your trying limbs
Never did you give it
Permission to drop off
Fooling the Madonna
No fool will stay on top
On top, on top, on top
The song "Tokyo" by Teen explores the story of a man who seeks a new life in Tokyo after breaking up with his wife. He is eager to move forward in life, leaving behind any emotional baggage that may hold him back. The song begins with him laughing at the thought of his new life in Tokyo replacing his old one with his ex-wife. The lyrics suggest that he is running away from his past life and desires to start anew, quickly before any guilt or regret catches up to him.
The singer of the song dreams of being buried in a bare coffin, suggesting that he wants to begin from scratch after his old life ends. He is running away from his problems, and he speeds past them without looking back. The chorus emphasizes his sense of urgency to leave behind his past, as he runs "All the weight behind him."
The song delves into themes of fooling oneself and chasing after youth, represented by the lyrics, "Fooling the Madonna, chasing after youthful skin, Never did you give it permission to drop off." The singer is trying to outrun the inevitability of aging and the consequences of his past choices. This may be why he refuses to love his ex-wife, saying that his feelings towards her would never change.
Line by Line Meaning
He was looking for a new life
He wanted to start anew
Ha ha ha ha
N/A
In Tokyo
Specifically, he chose Tokyo
A replacement for his drop wife
He wanted to replace his ex-wife
Yeah yeah yeah
N/A
She's in Tokyo
His ex-wife is in Tokyo
He wished to move ever quickly
He wanted to move fast
Before his good will got in the way
Before he could have second thoughts
He promised life before the sickly
He wanted to enjoy life without the hardships
Before his sinning feel got in the way
Before he succumbed to temptation
Now he's running off
He's leaving quickly
Running off, running off
He's making a hasty retreat
All the weight behind him
He's escaping his past
Dreaming, dreaming of a bare coffin
He's fantasizing about his death
Yeah he needed to know
He wants to be aware of the consequences
Gravestone reading his life took off without him
He wants his gravestone to reflect his life without regret
Where would this fantasy go
Wondering where his reckless lifestyle will lead him
Fooling the Madonna
Trying to look younger
Chasing after youthful skin
He wants to retain his youth
Whatching your own age drip
Seeing himself age
Softening your trying limbs
His body is losing its strength
Never did you give it
He neglected his body
Permission to drop off
He didn't care about his health
No fool will stay on top
He won't always be young and foolish
"Let's face the fact baby
He's admitting the truth
No one wants to cheat or steal
He's not trying to deceive anyone
I do not to love you now
He doesn't love his partner
And I won't tommorow and I never will"
He will never love them
Contributed by Caroline A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
levi
I really loved this album
Judy Lief
Great song! Beautiful. Fabulous humor and bright energy from a very talented band.
Austin Stillwell
The fact that Teen failed to find a large following speaks to the obvious failure of the state of modern music distribution and consumption. If they came out in the early 90’s we’d be talking about them alongside Jane’s Addiction, Smashing Pumpkins, The Pixies, etc. They are and will forever remain one of the all time greats. I’ll be continuing to spread the gospel of Teen and jamming out to songs like “Another Man’s Woman” till my death bed.
Flannel Cockerspaniel
Met TEEN in Seattle when they were on tour with 'of Montreal' in 2016. Fantastic live performance and "Love Yes" is a very strong effort, one of my favorite albums of 2016, easily. Thanks to the band for signing my "Love Yes" vinyl LP at the show, and congratulations on the music video! See you in Seattle again!
galattica30
Lindas, meninas!!
<3 <3 <3
Gerald Aldrian
Carpark Records never fail to release songs that aren't good , all of these underrated artists are so good tbh.
Art & Shit
Hermosa canción y que lindas chicas <3 ojala les vaya bien en un futuro <3
Matt Schmitz
Love this band.
Xavier Dennis
Beautiful song
A.J. Glaub
I love this song so much